Vancouver artist group exhibit honors Philippine roots

Renowned Filipino artist Sym Mendoza leads the Dimasalang International Artist Group in an exhibit that paid homage to their roots as part of Asian heritage month in Vancouver.

Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, better known as Sym, is a multi-awarded artist and teacher, who founded the Dimasalang group in the Philippines.

His earlier works were mostly in realism, but a shift in style to cubism is reflective of his life as an immigrant artist in Canada.

“Because we are Filipino we cannot run out from culture, we are adopted by a certain culture… but me, I am aware of it, I would not like to be controlled by other culture. I still emphasize my inner self, my Filipino soul.”

With the month-long exhibit titled Pan Asian routes, other artists also gave their take on what they hold memorable from the Philippines.

From symbolism of Spanish influence in this tribute to Picasso to tribal-inspired art, and a delightful twist of the Philippine map in this piece titled “Pearl of the Orient” — being Filipino is part of who these artists are.

The Philippines got four major awards during the World Hip Hop dance championship held at the Grand Canyon arena in Phoenix, Arizona last Saturday. A total of nine teams with approximately 150 delegates represented...